Charlestown
A small seaside capital on Nevis, suited to slow days, a walk through town, and a base for reaching the island's beaches and the slopes of Nevis Peak.
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Charlestown is the capital of Nevis, a small volcanic island in the Leeward Islands and part of the federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the Eastern Caribbean. The town sits on the island's west coast, with the sea on one side and the green slopes of Nevis Peak rising behind it. It is where the island's government offices, shops and ferry landing are. Alexander Hamilton, a founder of the United States, is traditionally said to have been born on Nevis, and the Alexander Hamilton Museum in Charlestown covers his early life on the island.
Nevis suits travelers who want a slow Caribbean island with a clear sense of history. Charlestown is compact and walkable, with older colonial-era buildings, a waterfront and places to eat. The ferry from Basseterre on St Kitts lands here, which makes Nevis an easy add-on to a trip there. The dry season, roughly January through May, is the usual time to visit. Two to three days covers the town and the rest of the island by car or taxi.
Charlestown in five
- Take the ferry from BasseterreThe passenger ferry from Basseterre on St Kitts lands at Charlestown, the capital of Nevis. Check the current schedule before you plan the day you cross.Getting around
- Drive on the leftNevis drives on the left, so read your rental terms and insurance at the desk before you pull out of the car park.
- Carry East Caribbean dollarsThe currency is the East Caribbean dollar (XCD), pegged to the US dollar. US dollars are often accepted, but small change often comes back in EC dollars.Money and costs
- Check your entry rules before you bookEntry rules depend on your passport, so check them before you book flights.Visas and entry
- Buy hurricane cover for June to NovemberThe Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, and the highest risk falls in August to October. Check that your travel insurance covers cancelled and changed trips.Travel insurance
Things to do in Charlestown
See all attractions in Charlestown
Need to know
- Currency
- East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check your nationality
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Service charge often added; check the bill
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, breezy
- FebruaryDry, peak season
- MarchDry, sunny
- AprilDry, warming
- MayDry, hot
- JuneHurricane season
- JulyHurricane season
- AugustPeak hurricane risk
- SeptemberPeak hurricane risk
- OctoberHurricane risk
- NovemberSeason ends
- DecemberFestive, busier
Right now in Charlestown
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 48%
Nevis
11:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°28°48%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Tue30°27°62%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Wed31°27°17%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 17%.
- Thu31°26°22%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Fri30°24°51%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Sat30°24°59%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Sun29°25°49%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 49%.
Updated 10:31 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.7 XCD
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Jul–AugCulturamaNevis, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Fig Tree Churchabout 20 min by carA small church where Horatio Nelson married Fanny Nisbet in 1787.
- Pinney's Beachabout 15 min by carA long beach on the west coast, with beach bars and shade.
- St Kittsabout 45 min by ferryThe sister island across the strait, reached from Charlestown by the same ferry.Read the guide
Before you go to Charlestown
Rules for Charlestown, checked
- Entry rules depend on your passport. Check with St Kitts and Nevis immigration or your nearest embassy before you fly.
- Drive on the left and read your rental terms before you drive off.
- Check the Customs and Excise rules for food, plants and medicines before you pack, since some items must be declared.
- Do not take shells, coral or sand from beaches.
Plan around Charlestown
Choosing a base for Charlestown and the rest of the island.
Read the guideGetting around NevisDriving on the left, taxis and the ferry from St Kitts.
Read the guideMoney and costsEast Caribbean dollars, US dollars and typical prices.
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for your passport before you book.
Read the guideNevis travel guideThe island around Charlestown, beyond the town.
Read the guideCharlestown FAQ
Is Charlestown worth visiting?
Yes, for a half day. Its small streets, the waterfront and the Nelson Museum make a short walk, and the town is traditionally linked to the birth of Alexander Hamilton.
How many days do you need in Charlestown?
Half a day covers the town. Add a day or two for the rest of Nevis, which is small enough to see by car, and stay longer if you want beaches.
Can you visit Charlestown as a day trip from St Kitts?
Yes, by ferry from Basseterre. A day gives you the town and one beach, but you will see little of the island, so stay at least one night if you can.
What is Charlestown known for?
It is the capital of Nevis and is traditionally linked to Alexander Hamilton's birth. The Nelson Museum covers Horatio Nelson's time on the island.
When is hurricane season in Nevis?
The Atlantic season runs from June to November. August to October carry the highest risk, so check your insurance and flexible flight dates before you go.
Do you need a car in Charlestown?
Not in the town, which you can walk. A car helps for the rest of Nevis, and you drive on the left.